Bicycle



May 7, 1940.

K. H. BooTY BICYCLE Filed Jan. 11, 193e 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 QTTOQNEYS May 7 1940. l K. H. Boo'rY 2.199.536

BICYCLE Fiwled Jan. 1l, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m 5 ifea/m #1300L/y UQTTOQN EYS K. H. BOOTY May 7, 1940.

BICYCLE Filed Jan. 11, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 NTO By Jlvz HBOOJ T omEYs I Kh H. Boorv 2.199.536

Mayl 7,.. 1940.

nlccma Filed Jan. 11. 193e 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 @Wm To, m NB. fO. w Zw Mw n m w w ww Patented May 7, 1946 UNITED STATES BICYCLE* Kelvin H. Booty, Chicago, Ill., 'assigner to Sears,-

Roebuck and Co., Chicago, II-ll.; a corporation of'New York Application January..11, 1936, Serial No. 58,640

-4 Claims.l

The invention relates to bicycles, and has for its principal object the provision of a bicycle having a novelV streamlined construction of, great vstrength but of light weight, the'elements being arranged and related to carry the vrider in a comfortable, easy-pedalling position.

It is also an object to provide a bicycle in which the top frame member' is enlarged in a novel vmanner to provide a casing for such accessories as a headlight, speedometer, andhorn as well `as to provide an enclosed space for an electric battery to operate the electrical accessories and for tools.

Another object is to provide a bicycle having a frame construction supported on the wheelsiin a novel manner and lcomprising frame members in a new interrelation providing greatV strength and rigidity for the frame.

More specifically it is a-n object toI provide a bicycle having a novel frame construction including a top member sweeping rearwardly and downwardly, to provide a streamline effect, an upper fork for the rear wheel constituting a -continuation of the lines of the topmember, a lower rear fork meeting the upper fork .at a point adjacent the rear edge of the rear Wheel, and .a front fork extending downwardly `and .forwardly to a point in front of the axis :of theiront wheel.

A further object is to provide .a :saddle tor a. bicycle having a novel spring construction providing great comfort for'the rider and penmitting the seat member to be located closely adjacent Vthe frame of the bicycle.

A still further object vis to vprovide a pedal structure streamlined in appearance andsc constructed that it tends to assume the :proper posi- Ation for such streamlining in relation to the bicycle of which it forms a part, said position being the normal positiontoreceive the riders foot.

Still another object .is to `provide .grips for the handle bar, which amply absorb shocks, which are rmly attached to .the Ihandle bar without danger of accidentally slipping off, -and which l.are reinforced in such manner that, while .their resilience isv retained, they are practically -un breakable.

Other objects and advantages 'will become -a parent from the following vdescription taken .in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, lin which:

Figure luis a side elevational view -of a bicycle embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vplan view of .the :bicycle .shown in Fig. 1.

Fig3 vis va longitudinal Vertical section takenv .en the im@ 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fgfl i's a perspective view of apart used inl connection with the headlight.

Fig. 5 isa trans-verse vertical section taken on the line 54-5 of Fig.. 3.

.Fi-g. 6 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line -S- of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a lfragmentary longitudinal section taken on the linev '1 -1 ci Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken onthe line 8 8 of Fig. 1.

Fig.. 9 is an enlarged side elevation of the forks for the rearwheel..

Fig. l0 is a plane View of a saddle.

Fig. l1 is a sidevelevatio-nal view of the saddle.

Fig.A 12 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on the line .I2 -l2 of Fig. 1l.

Eig. 13 is a sectional View ofa handlew bar grip.

Fig. 14 4is a transverse section taken on the line lil-lli of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a plane View, partially'in section, .of .a pedal.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view takenvon the line lit-lt of Fig. 15.

.A bicycle embodyingthe .featuresof the invention is digned yto have a streamlined appearance and, at the same time, great strength as well .as easy Vriding qualities. To this end, it has` a frame comprising generally a plurality of members so shaped and united and so related tothe wheels that the suggestion of strength and the ,ability to operate the bicycle at high'speeds with little effort is implied. To this end, .the frame includes a top member of relatively large cross'.

section adjacent the frontend and tapering rearwardly. The top member sweeps rearwardly and downwardly, with a fork for the rear vwheel vconstituting an extension thereof, to a point adjacent the rear edge of the r'ear wheel, while a fork for. the front wheel extends downwardly .and forwardly with .the axis for .the vfront wheel located rearwardly vof the lower end'of ,saidfo-rk. A lower frame member extends from the upper end .of

the front wheel fork downwardly on an arc about .45

the` axisof the front wheel, Vandlthencehorizoneffect form a continuation thereof, at a point adjacent the rear edge of therearf wheel. From the tally rearwardly to meet the rear fork and in an arc concentic with the. rear wheel, to .a vpoint wherethe top .member meets the upper rear fork,

. therebylocating'the seatpost for .thesaddle well toward the rear of bicycle in an easy-pedaling position,

The top member has a portion projecting forwardly of the steering post and of a generally rounded form in which portion a headlight is incorporated in such manner as to throw light forwardly and downwardly. The top member is hollow and the large cross-section thereof in the fore part thereof provides space for accessories. Thus, the top member may be utilized as a container for a battery and for tools, and a distance indicating device and a horn may be mounted` therein.

The preferred embodiment also includes av saddle of novel construction havingan easy riding quality by virtue of the fact that the seat member thereof is supported on leaf springs. The pedals are shaped so that, when viewed from the side, they conform to the general streamlining of the bicycle as a whole, the construction being such that they tend to assume positions correlated to the streamlining and are always properly presented for instant engagement by the riders foot. The bicycle is also equipped with handle bar grips reinforced and attached to the handle bar in such a manner that they are adequately flexible to absorb shocks and are strong and firmly attached to the handle bars.

As shown in the drawings, the bicycle comprises a frame supported on a front wheel 26 and a rear wheel 2|. The frame comprises a top member 22, a lower member 23, a rear member 24, a front fork 25, an upper rear fork 26, a lower rear fork 21, and a relatively short front member 28 in which the front fork is journalled. The top member 22 is hollow and of a somewhat oval cross section with the longer diameter horizontal, the cross-sectional area being relatively large at the front end and tapering rearwardly. Along the respectivev sides of the top member, a pair of rounded ribs or bulges 36 may be formed, which correspondingly taper toward the rear. The top member slopes gently and sweepingly downwardly toward the upper rear fork 26 which constitutes a continuation of the sloping top member and of the tapering thereof, thus accentuating the streamline effect.

At the front end, the top member has a forwardly extending projection 3l in front of the front frame member 28 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which is generallyY rounded or ogival in form with the lower half thereof cut away. Within the projection, an electric headlight 32 and a reector 33 therefor are mounted. Filling the cut-away area is a lens or glass 34 to complete the shape of the projection 3|. The glass 34 is preferably retained in place by a strip 35 extending around the lower edge of the projection 3| and secured thereto as by screws. The strip 35 may be so shaped as to enhance the decorative effect, the preferred shape being illustrated in Fig. 4. Thus, the upper half of the projection 3| constitutes a shade to throw the light forwardly and downwardly.

The large cross-sectional area of the top mem` ber provides suitable enclosed space for carrying accessories. vided, and a battery 36 to operate the various electrical devices may be located within this space with the wiring concealed therewithin. A horn 31 may be mounted within the top member with slots 38 along the respective sides of the top member to permit egress of the sound. The top surface of the top member provides a suitable Thus, ample space for tools is pro-v location for a distance indicating device or speedorneter 46, the dial thereof being readily observable by the rider. This device may be either of the types indicating total distance travelled, the rate of speed, or both. To operate this device, an operating cable 4| may extend rearwardly within the top member for concealment and thence downwardly within the upper rear fork 26 to a point adjacent the rear wheel for operative connection therewith. To illuminate the dial of the distance indicating device 46, a light 42 may be mounted within the top member adjacent an aperture 49 in the casing of the device 40, the light likewise illuminating the interior of the top member to facilitate locating tools therein. The aperture 46 may be vcovered with a transparent material such as isinglass to protect the device 46 from dust. Access to the interior of the top member may be had through a detachable cover 43 preferably located rearwardly of the distance indicating device 40, while switch buttons 44 to operate the horn and the lights may be mounted in the top surface in front of the device 4|). The upper surface of the top member thus is a conveniently arranged instrument panel and gives the bicycle a neat, well-equipped appearance.

'Ihe top member, because of its prominence in obtaining the streamline appearance, and because of its strength, is apertured at its upper and lower surfaces to receive the front member 28 and permit the latter to extend through the top member. Thus, the construction of the top member eliminates the need for the usual head casting to provide a rigid connection with the front member. The enlargement of the top member at the front also enables it to meet and blend in with the front end of the lower member 23 and thereby conceal the front member 28 except for small portions at its upper and lower ends, as will be noted in Figs. 1 and 3.

The front fork 25 is rotatably mounted in the front member 28 and extends forwardly and downwardly in a moderate curve to terminate forwardly of the axis of the front wheel. To support the fork 25 on the wheel, a pair of triangularly shaped web-like members 45 are attached edgewise to the lower ends of the fork to extend rearwardly therefrom, and are slotted to receive the axle of the front wheel. The members 45 also extend rearwardly of the front wheel axle to support the legs of a U-shaped bracket 46 to the base of which the lower end of a mud-guard 41 may be attached, the mudguard passing through the top of the front fork and being supported thereby.

The lower member 23 preferably extends arcuately about the front wheel from the union thereof with the top member and thence rearwardly in a substantially horizontal direction to the front end of the lower rear fork 2l, the latter forming a continuation thereof. From the union of the lower member 23 and the lower rear fork 21, the rear member 24 extends upwardly, the union of these three parts being enlarged to receive the usual bearings for a pedal sprocket 48. The rear member 24 extends upwardly and rearwardly, substantially on an arc concentric with the rear wheel, to the point where the top member 22 and the upper rear fork 26 meet.

The top member 22, the rear member 24, and the upper rear fork 26 are rigidly connected by meansof a cluster casting provided with a plurality of shouldered lugs 52 telescoping into the respective members and the arms of the rear fork 26, the ends thereof abuttingl the shoulders on the lugs to provide a smooth exterior. The casting l 'comprises a body portion having an oval cross-section, with its longest diameter horizontal, and extending forwardly to provide the lug' ttinginto the oval end of the top member 22. The body of the casting extends rearwardly in bifurcated form to provide the two lugs for the respective arms ofthe rear' fork 26, while a downwardly extending lug is provided for the rear member 24. Between the two lugs over which the two arms of the rear fork 26 telescope; a fla-tweb 53` is provided to stiiien the casting.v The casting also has an upwardly and rearwardly extending tubular portion 5l)ai to v receive and support' a seat post, the tubular portion 5i!a `con-- stituting in effect, a continuation of the rear member 24. The casting 5l is `hollow throughout, and the cable 4lv for the distance indicating device 40, which extends within the top member 22, passes through the cluster casting and into one of the arms of the rear fork 25.

As mentioned above, the two rear forks 26 and 2T meet at a point adjacent the rear edge of the rear wheel. To rigidly connect the ends of the two forks, a U-shaped member 54 (see Figs. 1 and 8) extends around the periphery of the rear wheel.- Each end of thev member 54 has a pair of projections 55 entering the ends of the respective forks, which ends are in edge-to-edge relation, so that the member 54 constitutes a continuation of the two forks. The member 54 thus secures the ends of the two forks together and holds the two sides of each fork in spaced relation to receive the rear wheel therebetween.

The U-shaped member 544 alsoserves asi-a support for the rear end of amud-guard 56. The latter extends arcuately over the upper portion of the rear wheel within the two rear forks with the front end of the mud-guard located within the lower rear fork 21. The rear end of the mud-guard is preferably curved rearwardly, as will be noted in Fig. 1, to contribute to the streamline effect.

To give strength to the assembly of the twoy rear forks, they are rigidly connected at a point spaced froml their meeting point and the member 54. To this end, on each side of the forks, a web- 51 (Fig. 9) is. provided which extends across the angle between the forksy and is inserted into the tubular pieces of which the reary forks are constructed. The-webs 51 are located at the axis of the rear wheel so that the stiffening effect of the webs occurs at the point where the load is supported. Thus, the webs 51 are notched as at 58 to receive the rear wheel axles. The webs are also pressed to provide screw-receiving portions 60, in which screws El (see Fig. 1) are threaded to adjust the position of the wheel axle in: the notch 58 and thereby adjust the tension on the usual chain 62 connecting the pedal sprocket 4'8 and a sprocket (not shown) on the rear! wheel.

The preferred embodiment may also be equipped with a luggage carrier, the lines of which conform to'the streamline appearance of the bicycle as a whole. Thus, the luggage carriercomprises a luggage carrying frame t3A (see Fig. 1)` which extends horizontally rearwardly from a point over the axis of the rear wheel. From that point forwardly, the frame B3 follows the curvature of the wheel with its forward end located immediately in the'rear of the rear frame member 24, where it is rigidly secured to the cluster rcasting 5l. '1-0y Athis end, the front end of the luggage carrying frame G3 has a transverse wall 64 (see Fig. 3') at its end, which is shaped to conform to and abut the top siirface of the1 web 53 between the two lugs 52'? for the upper rear fork, and is rigidly connected'thei'eto by a bolt 65. l

The rear end of the luggage carrying frame S3 is preferably supported by a forked brace 'B6 l Which iS Supported at its lower end l). the' axle of the rear wheel. TheV brace 66 extends upwardly and rearwardly to a poin-t a'djz'icentI therear end of the luggage carrying frame 63. At its rear end, thel lug'f'gage carrying frame' 63 may be pro vided with a rounded enlargement Sl (see Fig. l) to receive' a tail-light or a reflector '58 serving in piace tra' taibiight.

Another feature of the invention resides-inthe constrnctio-n of thesaddle.- in which aV novel are rangement of springs provided to attain especially comfortable riding qualities. As shown herein, vthe saddle comprises a seat member YB (see Figs. l0 and l1) of the usual shape. The seat member 'lilv is supported by two sets 'H' of bowed leafl springs located on the'respective sides of the center line of the bicycle at an angle to each other with the apex of the angle underthe front end of the seat member. Each set of springs comp-rises a plurality of leavesl of varying length. Preferably thefront ends of the sets `ll y the other ends of the springs are attached to the seat member to allow for such increase. To this end, attached to the seat member adjacent the rear end of each spring is al bracket li to which is pivotally attached, as at 74, a shackle comprising a pair of spaced links. The shackley 'i5 extends downwardly and forwardly and is pivotally attached at its lower end, afs at 1S, to the spring. Thus, when the spring in-V creases in length under load, the shackle 75 swings rearwardly to allow for suc-h increase. I

Inv order to prevent the seat member 'llly from rebounding above its normal position and to steady it, the shackle 'l5 is constructed to limit the bowing of the spring to its normal amount. Thus, each link of the shackle has a bjoss T1 (Fig. 11) adapted to abut against the underside of its bracket '13y and limit the forward swinging movement of the shackle, thereby limiting v'the bowing of the spring.l

The two sets ofsprings are supported by meansy 1 detachably secured to the s eat post. For this purpose, a bridge 85 extends transversely ofthe springs and supports the two springs on itsl respective ends, the springs preferably 'being riveted thereto. v bridge 80 is a channel-shape clip 8| and a U'- shaped bushing 82 embracing the seatv post 50 and adapted to be clamped thereto by a bolt 83.'

With springs of this type, which are relatively atand do not occupy much vertical height, the saddle may be placed down close tothe frame members' of the bicycle without interfering with the spring movement. The saddle thusy ha's'fa compact appearance and, becauseV ofthe downward sweep ofthe vtop member 22, the-level of the top of the saddle is substantially the samev as the upper surface of kthe topmember at theV front end thereof, thus accentuating the streamline appearance.

The Vpreferred embodiment also includes; asanovel feature thereof', a-form of pedalfseeFigs;

Attached intermediate the ends of the est 15 and I6) which `conforms to the streamlines of the bicycle and is so constructed as to have a tendency to assume such a position that its form is properly correlated to the streamlining of other parts of the bicycle. Moreover, such position is the one which the pedal has when the riders foot is placed thereon. As shown in the drawings, each pedal comprises an axle 83 adapted to be screwed into the usual crank arm 84 (see Fig. 1) for driving the sprocket 48. Journalled on the axle 83 is a tubular member 85 which is preferably enlarged at its ends to provide space for antifriction bearings (not shown) Extending transversely of the tubular member 85 at its respective ,ends are a pair of end members 8B comprising iiat plates having a tear-drop or streamline shape. A pair of rods 81 extend parallel to the axle 83 on opposite sides thereof to connect the end members 8B and to support a pair of foot pads 88 preferably made of rubber. The axle 83 and the two rods 8i extend to the outer face of the outer end member, as will be noted in Fig. l5, and a casing 9U is provided to enclose said outer face and the ends of the axle 83 and two rods 81. The casing 9U has the same shape as the end member 86 and is generally rounded in cross-section to conform to the teardrop or streamline appearance.

In order that the pedal may assume a predetermined position, that is, a position in which the tear-drop shape of the end members 86 and casing 98 extends horizontally, it is constructed so that its center of gravity is below its axis of rotation, and the construction is also such as to compensate for the lack of symmetry of the end members 86 and casing 90 about the axis of rotation. To this end, the foot pads 88 are provided with downwardly extending portions 9|, the weight of which causes the center of gravity of the pedal as a whole to lie below the axis of the axle 83. Moreover, the weight of the portion 9| on the front foot pad is slightly greater than the weight of the portion 9i on the rear foot pad, as will be noted from their comparative sizes in Fig. 16, to compensate for the lack of balance due to the shape of the end members 86 and casing 90. Thus, the pedal at rest will assume a horizontal position so that the tear-drop shape of the end members and casing are properly correlated to the bicycle as a whole and so that the pedal is in proper position to receive the riders foot.

The handle bar and its grips also are of novel construction to provide a resilient grip which is unbreakable in normal use and may be readily removed from the handle bar but cannot accidentally slip oi of it. In Figs. 13 and 14, the handle bar is shown at 92 and is of tubular construction. Telescoped over each end of the handle bar is a grip comprising an attaching portion 93 and a grip portion @il which extends beyond the end of the handle bar. The grip is preferably made of yieldable material such as rubber, and the grip portion 94 may be shaped to provide linger grooves 95. y

Secured to the handle bar 82 and extending beyond the end thereof within the grip is a reinforcing member which is iiexible but which prevents any sharp bends in the grip when forced laterally. In the preferred construction, the reinforcing member comprises a closely wound coil spring having a portion 96 threaded onto grooves in the handle bar 92, and a portion 91 extending beyond the end of the handle bar. The portion 91 is preferably of smaller diameter than the portion 98 to limit the distance which the grip mayv be telescoped over the handle bar. The spring is preferably embedded in the rubber grip at the time the latter is molded. The grip is thus flexible but is reinforced so that it cannot be given a sharp bend, and may be readily removed from the handle bar.

From the above description, it will be apparent that I have provided a bicycle the parts of which are so shaped as to give the bicycle a streamline appearance suggesting the strength thereof without great weight and providing ay comfortable, easy-riding position for the operator. The top member 22 is shaped in a novel manner at its forward end to include a headlight,

and is also so constructed that a horn maybe enclosed therein and a speedometer may be located in the top surface thereof. The bicycle thus is completely equipped as to accessories which are included in a manner providing a n- 7' ished appearance. The frame, by virtue of the tapering shape of the top member and its rearwardly sweeping form together with the relation of the front and rear forks to the wheels gives the streamline effect as well as providing a sturdy construction. The location of the seat post and the novel construction of the saddle give ease in riding and permit the saddle to be mounted down close to the fram-e, while the handle bar grips provide flexibility without danger of breaking f when bent. The pedals, in appearance, conform to the appearance of the bicycle as a whole and tend to assume the proper position both to attain such appearance as well as to be in proper position for the riders foot.

I claim as my invention:

1.In a bicycle, the combination of a hollow top frame member of oval cross section with its longest diameter horizontal, a hollow rear frame member, a pair of hollow members constituting the two arms of a rear wheel fork, and a casting for rigidly connecting all four of said members having a plurality of lugs telescoping into said members, the body of said casting being ovalshaped in cross section and extending forwardly to provide a lug tting into said top member and extending rearwardly in bifurcated form to provide the lugs for the two arms of the rear fork, the lug for the rear member extending downwardly from the body, said casting also having tubular portion extending upwardly and rearwardly to receive a seat post and constituting an extension of the rear member'.

2. In a bicycle, the combination of a hollow top frame member, a pair oi spaced tubular members constituting the two arms of a rear wheel fork, a cluster casting for rigidly connecting said members, said casting having a pair oi lugs extending rearwardly at an angle to each other and telescoped into the two arms of the rear fork and having a web located between said pair of lugs, and a luggage carrier located over the rear wheel and having its front end seated on said web and rigidly secured thereto.

3. In a bicycle, the combination of a top frame member, a pair of spaced members constituting the two arms of a rear wheel fork, a rear frame member, a cluster casting having a plurality of lugs rigidly attached to the respective members,

the lugs for the arms of the rear wheel fork extending rearwardly at an angle to each other with a' reinforcing web located between and connecting the lugs for the arms, said web having a flat upper face, and a luggage carrier located over the rear wheel having a portion extending connecting the lugs, said web having an upper face, a luggage carrier located over the rear Wheel and having a portion extending forwardly With a transverse Wall seated over said web, and

means rigidly holding said Web and said Wall 5 together.

` KELVIN H. BOOTY. 

